Pre-Game Manly v Storm [Round 21, 2021]

[The Who]

No First Grade team may have won from outside the top four. But let's now forget our Under 20s (Holden Cup I think it was called then) won from 8th spot.

 

[Eagle 1]

No First Grade team may have won from outside the top four. But let's now forget our Under 20s (Holden Cup I think it was called then) won from 8th spot.

Yeah, what a run that was. Just curious, how many from that side are still with Manly now ?

 

[globaleagle]

Manly by 13+

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Whereas having a comfortable win from 5th

This is fine if you can order the comfortable win in advance. Equally likely a sudden death semi would produce a desperate struggle in which hopefully our class would win out but I'm pretty sure the experience would be draining and definitely with potential for injuries to our side.
It is a no-brainer to play the least number of games necessary, if possible. If we miss the top 4 so be it, I won't write us off, but it will be the harder road.
(Besides which, to win the comp we'll need to beat Storm at some stage anyway!)

 

[Eagle 1]

This is fine if you can order the comfortable win in advance. Equally likely a sudden death semi would produce a desperate struggle in which hopefully our class would win out but I'm pretty sure the experience would be draining and definitely with potential for injuries to our side.
It is a no-brainer to play the least number of games necessary, if possible. If we miss the top 4 so be it, I won't write us off, but it will be the harder road.
(Besides which, to win the comp we'll need to beat Storm at some stage anyway!)

I'm fine either way, but, just saying I wont be disappointed if we don't make top 4. We now have the fire power to blow opposition sides out of the water regardless of weather we finish 3rd 4th or 5th.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Absolutely, but if we lose players to injury or suspension that firepower might diminish a bit.
In any case, I see no reason we can't beat Storm this week. I think they are favourites mainly due to consistency, whereas a couple of times when possession went against us we couldn't wrestle it back. For talent there's not much between us. In fact a strong Manly win could turn this whole comp on its head!

 

[eaglebuzz]

I can't get over the NRL's hypocrisy in having a no tolerance policy towards fights on the field but they can't get enough of replaying the old ones for marketing purposes.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

I can't get over the NRL's hypocrisy in having a no tolerance policy towards fights on the field but they can't get enough of replaying the old ones for marketing purposes.

 

[Eagle 1]

Absolutely, but if we lose players to injury or suspension that firepower might diminish a bit.
In any case, I see no reason we can't beat Storm this week. I think they are favourites mainly due to consistency, whereas a couple of times when possession went against us we couldn't wrestle it back. For talent there's not much between us. In fact a strong Manly win could turn this whole comp on its head!

We may have an edge in the forwards, their missing Solomona, Kaufusi, Karma Chameleon (can't think of this guys name) and possibly the half back as well, Hughes. I like the way we are building towards the finals, even Johns and Fittler have both tipped us to win.

 

[Dee Why Eagle]

Suggested this earlier and got lampooned by some. Its a worthy thought.

my thoughts too... bit doubt that Des thinks this way

 

[Shoe1]

Yeah, what a run that was. Just curious, how many from that side are still with Manly now ?

Off the top of my head Cust, fainu, funa. Titmus would be. And Keppie played for parra in that gf.

 

[40 nil]

possibly the half back as well, Hughes.

Despite having many star players, Hughes may be the most important cog in the Storm machine. If he is out, it will be interesting to see how they perform. I presume Hynes would replace him at half.

 

[Shoe1]

Off the top of my head Cust, fainu, funa. Titmus would be. And Keppie played for parra in that gf.

Also haumole and Paseka

 

[Bearfax]

my thoughts too... bit doubt that Des thinks this way

The reasoning is that this year there are effectively only six sides that look like making a contest of the finals. An easier game to start, could be a bonus.

 

[40 nil]

Just curious, how many from that side are still with Manly now ?

Here is the full team. Titmuss & Paseka (?) must have been later incusions in the 17.

Sea Eagles Holden Cup team

1 Jade Anderson

2 Alfred Smalley

3 Tevita Funa

4 Semisi Kioa

5 Bilal Maarbani

6 Tom Wright

7 Cade Cust

8 Jaiden Tarrant

9 Manase Fainu (C)

10 Elia Faatui

11 Blake Andrews

12 Josh Martin

13 Haumole Olakauátu

Interchange

14 Kurtis Preece

15 Jesse Martin

16 Zaan Weatherall

17 John Tuivati

Reserves

18 Taniela Paseka

19 Keith Titmuss

20 Luke Polselli

21 Joseph Ma'u

22 Kaine McQuiggin

23 Michael Fenn

 

[Bren]

Here is the full team. Titmuss & Paseka (?) must have been later incusions in the 17.

Sea Eagles Holden Cup team

1 Jade Anderson

2 Alfred Smalley

3 Tevita Funa

4 Semisi Kioa

5 Bilal Maarbani

6 Tom Wright

7 Cade Cust

8 Jaiden Tarrant

9 Manase Fainu (C)

10 Elia Faatui

11 Blake Andrews

12 Josh Martin

13 Haumole Olakauátu

Interchange

14 Kurtis Preece

15 Jesse Martin

16 Zaan Weatherall

17 John Tuivati

Reserves

18 Taniela Paseka

19 Keith Titmuss

20 Luke Polselli

21 Joseph Ma'u

22 Kaine McQuiggin

23 Michael Fenn

Cade Cust tevita funa haumole olakatu manase fainu Taniela paseka

 

[Shoe1]

Cade Cust tevita funa haumole olakatu manase fainu Taniela paseka

+ we took Keppie hostage after the game

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

We may have an edge in the forwards,

Optimistic? Kaufusi and NAS missing helps, but they still have a huge edge in big game experience - 6 forwards who are Origin or Aust or NZ Test players, plus several grand finals together.
We've got Jake and Marty.
Schu and Smole have about a dozen games each in NRL!
Will be a great experience for our youngsters, as I said I don't think we lose anything talent-wise.

 

[Bearfax]

Optimistic? Kaufusi and NAS missing helps, but they still have a huge edge in big game experience - 6 forwards who are Origin or Aust or NZ Test players, plus several grand finals together.
We've got Jake and Marty.
Schu and Smole have about a dozen games each in NRL!
Will be a great experience for our youngsters, as I said I don't think we lose anything talent-wise.

Yep but Shu is a class act they dont have, and Olakau'atu and Paseka are rising stars

 

[Will on the hill]

Schu Saab and Parker had 4 errors each last week and they seemed to be due to a lack of concentration hopefully the gravitas of this game has everyone switched on for the full 80.